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Once back in the living room, I pulled on a pair of flat boots that were both comfortable and waterproof, and told Fancypants I didn’t know when I’d be home. “I’ll have my phone though, but tell Grams to text instead of call. If we end up staying later, I don’t want any ringing to give us away, in case Bree’s stalker shows up. I’ll put the phone on vibrate.”
“I checked with Merry,” Faron said. “She and Lyle had a flat tire, and they’re in the middle of changing it. They don’t have a spare, so they have to wait for someone from the Pack to reach them. And she thinks she’s getting the stomach flu. I told them to go home. They’re married and if she’s sick, it’s likely that Lyle will come down with it too.”
“I’ll stay with you. I could use a night out under the stars.” I showed him the blanket and pillow. “I come prepared.”
He stopped for a moment, smiling. “I’d like that. We’ll stop on the way and get coffee,” Faron said, taking the blanket and pillow from me. “I’ll toss these in the back of the truck.” He paused again, then asked. “Are you all right? I hope I didn’t push you?—”
“I’m good,” I said, meaning it. “I needed that. I neededyou. We can talk about it later, but I have no regrets.”
“I’m glad to know that, because neither do I,” Faron said.
Fancypants waved us off as we headed out the door. “Behave!”
I laughed. “I wouldn’t do anything else,” I said, closing the door behind us.
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
We were climbinginto the truck when a voice called out, “Hey, you headed out?”
I whirled to see Bran standing there. He was in a pair of low-cut jeans, his belt riding low on his hips over the T-shirt he was wearing. His hair was up in a manbun, and he looked more ripped than usual.
Feeling awkward, wondering if he could smell the sex on us, I said, “We’re headed over to Bree’s. Long story short, we’re watching over her property because of that stalker. The cops can’t be there all the time, and he’s escalated his behavior.”
“You want some help?” Bran’s smile immediately vanished.
I wanted to say no, and yet—truth was, we weren’t headed over to Bree’s for a make out party. This was serious business. I glanced at Faron.
His eyes narrowing, Faron hesitated for a moment, then he said, “Sure. You’ll have to ride in the back of the truck, though.”
Bran looked at me again, then jumped over the tailgate, into the back of the truck. I tossed him my blanket and pillow, and he settled down, wrapping the blanket around him.
“This is cozy.”
“Right,” Faron said. He yanked open the passenger door for me. “Get in. We don’t want to leave her alone there for long. That perv could easily be watching, especially if he realizes her house is under surveillance.”
As I fastened my seatbelt, I felt like we were in the proverbial ‘two’s company but three’s a crowd’ scenario. But I wasn’t Jack, and Faron and Bran weren’t Janet and Chrissy.
Faron glanced at me. “Did you mind if he comes along?”
“No, we can use the help,” I said, avoiding looking into the rearview mirror. “I didn’t invite him—I want you to know that.” I paused, then groaned. “I wonder if Grams invited him earlier.”
“Your great-grandmother really prefers him over me?” Faron asked, shifting gears as we turned at the end of the drive onto the street.
“He’s a witch. That makes all the difference to her,” I said.
“What about to you? I know you find him attractive.” He bit into his words, and I could tell he was trying to control his temper.
“You’rethe one I just had sex with. It’s true, Bran’s attractive and he cares about people. But so are you. It would be easier if one of you was a real asshole. Like Ithoughtyou were when I first met you. But tonight was special, Faron. I needed the release, and I’m grateful that you were the one to help me find my way. It was so good—youwere so good.”
Faron gave me a grunt, but it sounded halfway civil. “At least you’re honest,” he said.
“I don’t lie. Neither you nor Bran deserve a lie. I won’t do that to people,” I said. I was about to say that Rian and I had based our relationship on honesty, but then I thought about the cord-cutting and remembered I wasn’t to bring up his name. “It’s served me well in the past, and I intend to keep it that way.”
“Thank you,” Faron said gruffly. “Whatever happens, at least I know you won’t lead me on as a game. And what I felt back there was real, woman, so you know.”
“For me, too.” I glanced at the back window. Bran was seated in a meditation pose, and I wondered how he could manage any form of meditation given the bumpy ride. We arrived at Bree’s house, and I hurried out of the truck, over to her porch.
“It’s us, we’re here,” I called as I rang the bell. A moment later, I heard the locks turn and Bree peeked out. She stood back, opening the door.
